SPECIAL EVENTS

Book Sale, paperbacks 25 cents, plus other items at discounted prices offered by the Friends of Pearl City Library, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Pearl City Library; free admission. 453-6566.

Aloha Shorts, weekly radio show with readings of short stories from local authors, 5 p.m. Mondays, on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 with host Cedric Yamanaka. This week, Jason Kanda reads selections from the poetry of Eric Chock. www.hawaiipublicradio.org /alohashorts.htm.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere, 5:30 p.m. Mondays on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays on KTUH 90.3 FM. This week, telling of gross stories: "Lukie," by James McCarthy, "Melodious & Fragrant," by Katy Rydell and "The Eye" by Makia Malo. www.talkstoryradio.com.

Poetry Slam Workshop for Teens, ongoing Youth Speaks Hawai'i workshops in written and spoken word for students ages 13-19, working with members of the HawaiiSlam team, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free. 387-9664.

Poetry Slam! audience-judged competition open to 15 poets who sign up or are picked by lottery, emceed by Kimberly Dark, 7 p.m. Saturday, Volcano Art Center, Big Island; $3. (808) 967-8222.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Frances Kakugawa reads from and signs "Wordsworth the Poet," 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307. Also, 11 a.m.-noon Friday, The Book Gallery, Hilo, Big Island. (808) 935-4943.

Jeff Gere performs selections from and signs "Silly & Spooky," 11 a.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall; not recommended for preschoolers. 737-3323. Also, 2 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

FOR WRITERS

Honolulu Chapter of the National Writers Association, monthly meeting, with guest speaker Dr. Raj Kumar, author of "From Darkness to Light" and "The Secrets of Health and Healing," with a booksigning to follow, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 845-9585.

Performance Poetry Workshop, Kimberly Dark presents the genre's history, samples from various poets read aloud and the opportunity to write different forms of performance poetry, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Volcano Art Center, Big Island; $50. 967-8222.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth calls for submissions for the Christmas Talk Story 2006 with selected scripts to be presented at Tenney Theater in December. Monologues or scenes must focus on themes or memories of Christmas or other winter holidays in Hawai'i, be five pages or less with a maximum of three characters, and be narrative in format. Mail submissions to Eric Johnson, Honolulu Theater for Youth, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96819 or to htyeric@gmail.com. Additional information: 839-9885, ext. 256. Deadline is Aug. 14.

FOR KEIKI

Summer of Unfortunate Events, summer reading using the series of books by Lemony Snicket, 2 p.m. Sundays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center; free; also, children receive a free book when they read eight books by any author and fill out a reading journal by Sept. 8. 949-7307.

Toddler Storytime, for ages 2 and 3, 10 a.m. Mondays through Aug. 21, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Tiny Tales for Tiny Tots, stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft to take home, for 4 and younger, 9-9:45 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Kalihi-Palama Public Library. 832-3466.

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Pre-School Storytime and Activities, stories, sing-alongs and playtime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Waipahu Public Library. 675-0358.

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall (737-3323) and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center (949-7307).

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers, 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Keiki Reading Room in Gallery 31 (lower level of Banyan Court); for 12 and under and their parents; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents. 532-8700.

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Storytimes, for all ages, 10 a.m. Thursdays through Aug. 24; Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Saturday Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323

Saturday Morning Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to Lit Beat, Island Life, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.